Out-of-control wildfire south of Hope, B.C., believed to be human-caused
An out-of-control wildfire burning southeast of Hope, B.C., has grown in size as crews battle heat, wind and difficult terrain.
“The biggest driving problem with this fire is the wind every afternoon,” said Chris Terry, chief of the Sunshine Valley Fire Department.
“You think you’ve got it and an hour later the wind comes up, picks it up and it can veer either way,” said Terry, whose volunteer department is assisting in the firefighting effort.
The blaze, which is now 50 hectares in size and believed to be human-caused, is about 13 kilometres southeast of Hope. At times, it has been visible from Highway 3, but the fire is now burning away from that direction.
Firefighters are keeping a close eye on the forecast as temperatures are expected to hit the mid-30s in coming days.
“Our forecasters have told us we are heading into an extremely hot and dry few days into the weekend and are expecting record-setting temperatures in some areas of the Coastal Fire Centre,” said Julia Caranci, spokesperson for the Coastal Fire Centre.
Helicopters spent the day scooping water from an area near Sunshine Valley and dumping it on the blaze, which is not threatening any structures.
“It’s at the top of the ridge now,” said Terry. “The challenge now is to stop it from going over the top. If it goes over the top … They’ll probably be chasing it all summer.”
There are more than 60 firefighters trying to bring the wildfire under control.
With conditions so dry, fire officials are urging the public to be extra cautious to prevent more human-caused fires.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.